Surveillance of the patient receiving infusional cancer chemotherapy: nursing role in recognition and management of catheter-related complications. The Cancer Center of Boston.

Abstract

Surveillance of the patient on infusional cancer chemotherapy (ICC) is paramount to patient safety. Key to this issue is diligence in monitoring for complications of infusion catheters. Nursing knowledge and awareness are essential for the early detection of such complications. The following is a composite of the manifestations of commonly experienced catheter-related complications. The incidence, detection and management issues are presented from the perspective of 15 years experience with ICC at The Cancer Center of Boston (TCC).